QCEW Green Goods and Services Sector Industry Pre-Testing - Feasibility Interviews
Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Green Goods and Services Sector Industry Pre-testing
Green Feasibility Intro Letter and Scripts
QCEW Green Goods and Services Sector Industry Pre-Testing - Feasibility Interviews
OMB: 1220-0181
Attachment 1: Cover letter and scripts for feasibility interviews
U.S. Department of Labor |
Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Program 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Room 4840 Washington, DC 20212
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|
[date]
Joe’s Fertilizer Inc.
3 Main Office Blvd.
Houston, TX 55555
Dear[salutation] [last name]:
As the chief source of government data on employment, BLS intends to produce data on business employment in the environmental sector, defined as those activities that involve renewable energy, energy efficiency, pollution prevention and abatement, and/or environmental regulation and education. This initiative will produce regular tabulations of aggregate employment and wages for businesses whose primary activities fall into the environmental sector. This series will be key to analyzing workforce trends in the environmental sector.
In order to collect data on environmental sector employment, BLS needs to better understand how firms and worksites maintain information on product and/or service lines related to the environmental sector. Therefore, a member of our research team will be calling to ask questions about the following topics:
Your firm’s product and/or service lines
Availability of revenue records by product and/or service line
Availability of employment information by product and/or service line
Where and with whom at the firm this information is available
In addition, we are providing you with a list of activities (attached to or on the back of this letter) that is primarily associated with your currently assigned BLS industry. We will be asking how your product or service lines match to the items on this list. If none of the activities listed correspond to your primary activities, please let us know during the interview.
Your voluntary participation is requested to help BLS understand business records and their use in designing a more effective long-term approach to collecting and publishing these new data types. The purpose of this call is for internal purposes only. Information related to this study is confidential and will not be released to the public in any way that would allow identification of individuals or establishments except as prescribed under the conditions of the Privacy Act Notice.
It is our goal to keep the length of this interview to a minimum. A member of our research team will contact you to arrange a convenient time and day to answer questions about your data over the telephone. We estimate that it will take 30 minutes to complete this interview. The OMB control number for this interview is 1220-new, and expires Month Date, Year.
Please contact Kristin Fairman at (202) 691-6493 with any questions. Again, thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely yours,
Patricia M. Getz
Assistant Commissioner
Office of Industry Employment Statistics, Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics
Table 1 |
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Worksite information: Joe’s Fertilizer Store #10 1 Main Street Dallas, TX 55555 |
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Your currently assigned BLS industry for this worksite: NAICS 325311 Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing |
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Description of 325311: |
Activities included in 325311: |
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Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing: This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1) manufacturing nitrogenous fertilizer materials and mixing ingredients into fertilizers; (2) manufacturing fertilizers from sewage or animal waste; and (3) manufacturing nitrogenous materials and mixing them into fertilizers. |
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Script for green goods and services Feasibility interview
CONSTRUCTION
Typographical conventions: italics for programmer notes, all caps for items not read or instructions to the interviewer.
Introduction
Intro1. Hello. My name is ______________ from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I'm calling in reference to a new data initiative being undertaken by BLS. May I please speak to (contact name)?
Intro2. (Reintroduce yourself if necessary) Our records indicate you are the contact person for your firm’s (Name of state quarterly wage and tax report) that you submit to (Name of state employment agency name) for unemployment insurance tax purposes. It would be very helpful to us if we could talk to you about your various construction projects. Would you be able to answer questions about revenues and employment for your construction projects?
Yes → GO TO INTRO3.
No → Do you know who at your firm would be able to answer those questions for us?
Name:_______________________________________
Position/Department:___________________________
Phone:_______________________________________
Fax:_________________________________________
Thank you for your time. (hang up and contact name given).
Continue with correct respondent
Intro3. We routinely ask businesses to help us collect the best data possible, so we are contacting a small sample of our respondents to discuss an important new data initiative that we are very excited about. We recently mailed you a letter about this. Did you receive our letter?
Yes
No → Can I can fax or email you a copy of that letter now?
What is your fax number/email address?________________________
Intro4. I realize you are very busy, but would you have some time now to answer a few questions? The questions usually take about 20 minutes.
Yes, have time
No → When would be a good time to call you back?
Appointment Information:
APPT DAY: _________________ TIME OF DAY: _________________
Intro5. I called [Phone number]. Is this the best phone number to use to reach you?
Yes
No → Correct the information here: ____________________
Questionnaire Script
BLS has been asked to produce measures of employment in U.S. industries that produce green goods and services. Before we can do this though, we need to better understand how businesses track information regarding the variety of services or projects they offer. The questions I will ask you today will help us collect the most accurate and reliable data possible.
Before we begin, let me assure you that the purpose of this call is strictly for informational and statistical purposes to help us understand business records and their use in designing a new survey. Your participation is completely voluntary and you can decline to answer any question at any time. Information related to this study is confidential and will not be released to the public in any way that would allow identification of individuals or establishments except as prescribed under the conditions of the Privacy Act Notice.
NAICS index item mapping questions
Do you have the introductory letter available that we sent to you, so you can refer to it?
Yes
No (Provide examples from your list of index items for Question 3)
Are you familiar with the concept of NAICS, which is the North American Industry Classification System?
Yes
No (give brief explanation to respondent)
Please look at the list of major activities attached to the letter (it might be on the back side – if respondent doesn’t have letter read off ACTIVITIES to them).
This list reflects the NAICS code that BLS has assigned to your worksite (READ WORKSITE NAME AND ADDRESS) listed on the same sheet. Does this list provide an accurate description of your primary business activity at that worksite?
Yes → Go to Question 4
No
3a. Can you tell me about your primary business activities at that location?
Construction project questions
As I said, we are interested in information about your different construction projects. How many different projects do you typically engage in over a year? By different projects I mean housing construction, commercial building construction, remodeling, weatherization not each individual project.
one→ Go to One product section, Question 24
more than one (fill in exact number) ____→
What are those different projects?
LIST:___________________________________
GO TO QUESTION 6
Do you produce different models, types or versions of your product lines?
Yes for all→ Go to Question 6
yes for some →Go to Question 6
No → Go to Question 6
Revenue by product
Do you track revenue by:
6a. different types of construction projects (do you have total revenues for all the housing projects, remodels, commercial building projects you undertook)?
Yes → Go to Question 6B
No → Go to Question 9
comment→ ________________ Go to Question 6b
6b. each individual project (for example, each house, building or renovation)?
Yes → Go to Question 7
No→ Go to Question 7
comment→ ________________ Go to Question 7
Does your firm have multiple office locations?
Yes → Go to question 8
No → Go to Question 10
BLS does not intend to publish this information. Would you be able to provide revenue by project type or the individual projects for your individual office locations?
Yes for both→ Go to question 10
yes only for a product TYPE→ Go to question 10
No → Why not? ____________Go to Question 10
How do you track revenue?
GO TO revenue compile (QUESTION 14a)
Time period
Do you track revenue for your project types or the individual projects by different time periods?
Yes Fiscal year→ Go to Question 11
yes calendar year→ Go to Question 11
yes other:___________________ → Go to Question 11
comment_________→ Go to Question 11
If you were asked to provide information about revenue on a survey form for a given reference period, for example, fiscal year, calendar year, most recent 4 quarters, how long do you think it would take you to compile the information about the share of revenues generated by:
11a. different types of construction projects (housing projects, commercial building projects)?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
It depends/Other: __________________
11b. each individual project (for example, each house, building or renovation)?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
It depends/Other: __________________
If you were asked what percentage of your total revenue comes from different projects or different individual projects, how long do you think it would take you to compile the information:
12a. different types of construction projects (housing projects, commercial building projects?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
It depends/Other: __________________
12b. individual project (for example, each house, building or renovation)?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
It depends/Other: __________________
12c. How exact would your percentage be? (VERY, JUST AN ESTIMATE, ETC.)
VERY EXACT
just an estimate
don’t know __________________
Other _
Which would be easier for you, providing the actual annual revenue from a project or the percentage of your total revenue generated by that project?
actual annual revenue → Why?____________________
percentage of total revenue → Why not?
Revenue compile
a. If you don’t track the revenue associated with a project type or individual project, would you would be able to compile that information if asked?
Yes → Go to 14b
No → Go to 14c
comment __________________ → Go to 14B
14b. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult), how difficult would it be to compile this information?
1 2 3 4 5
Go to 15
14c. Why not?
14d. Is there anyone else who would be able to compile that information?
IF YES: Name:________________________________________
Position/Department:____________________________
Phone:________________________________________
Employment
BLS is considering using revenues by project type or individual projects to estimate the number of employees associated with that project. We want this employment estimate to account for all employee types at the worksite, including construction employees, administrative employees, sales and marketing employees, etc.
Do you think revenue is a reasonable proxy for the number of employees associated with a particular project type? (FOR EXAMPLE, MY FIRM BUILDS NEW HOUSES AND REMODELS HOUSES. 70% OF THE REVENUE IS FROM NEW HOUSING, SO 70% OF THE FIRM’S TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IS ASSOCIATED WITH NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION.)
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
Would revenue for a particular project also be a reasonable proxy for the employment associated with that project?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
(IF QUESTION 7 IS YES) Would revenue by project also be available for each office location?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
BLS does not intend to publish information about projects or revenue. If BLS asked you to provide the share of total revenues accounted for by a project, would you share this information?
Yes
No → Would you be willing to tell us why not? ____________________
DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE→ Would you be willing to tell us why not?________
Number of jobs by timeframe
a. If you were asked to estimate the percentage of your employees, including sales, marketing, administrative employees associated with aproject type (NEW HOUSING, NEW BUILDING, REMODELING) for a given reference period such as your fiscal year or the calendar year, would you be able to provide that information?
Yes → When would that information be available? ______________
No → Why not? ________________________GO TO JOB COMPILE (QUESTION 23a)
comment_________________________
19b. Could you do this for each individual project?
Yes → When would that information be available? ______________
No → Why not? ________________________
COMMENT __________________
(IF QUESTION 7 AND 19A OR 19B IS YES) Would you be able to do this for each office location?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
How long do you think it would take you to compile this information if asked?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
COMMENT___________________
Would it be easier for you to provide revenue or employment numbers by project/individual project?
REVENUE→ Why? ________________________
Employment→ Why? ________________________
both easy→ Why? ________________________
Both difficult: → Why? __________________________________________
SKIP TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION, QUESTION 28
Job compile
a. If you don’t track the percentage of employees, including sales, marketing, administrative employees, associated with a project, would that information be something you would be able to compile if asked?
Yes → Ask question 23b
No → go to environmental information, QUESTION 28
comment________________________
23b. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult), how difficult would it be to compile this information?
1 2 3 4 5
SKIP TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION QUESTION 28
One Project Type
Do you track exact revenue generated by your individual projects?
Yes → Ask question 25
No → go to QUESTION 33
comment______________________
BLS is considering using the revenue generated by projects, along with total revenues, to estimate the number of employees involved in that project. Do you think this approach is reasonable for your business?
Yes
No
comment________________________
BLS does not intend to publish this information. Would you be willing to provide revenue shares by project to BLS on a survey form?
Yes → go to QUESTION 27
No → go to environmental information, QUESTION 28
don’t know
comment__________________________________
Which of the following would be easier for you, providing the annual revenue generated by different projects or providing the percentage of your total revenue generated by that project?
actual annual revenue→ Why?__________________
Percentage of total revenue→ Why?_______________
Environmental information
Do any of your projects meet any environmental standards, such as EnergyStar or LEEDS?
Yes → A. Do all projects meet this standard?
All → Go to Question 29
JUST CERTAIN PROJECTS→ Go to Question 29
No → go to question 31
What are those environmental standards (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)?
Energystar→ Go to Question 30
LEEDS→ Go to Question 30
other:_________________________________ → Go to Question 29A
Other:_________________________________ → Go to Question 29A
29a. Are these national, state, or local area specific standards?
If BLS were to ask for revenue shares for projects that met one of those environmental standards, would you be able to provide that information? For example, what percent of revenue is represented by EnergyStar-rated projects?
Yes
No
Don’t think so or don’t know
Do you do any weatherization or retrofitting projects that make a home or building more energy efficient?
Yes → Go to Question 32
No→ Go to Question 34
Don’t think so or don’t know→ Go to Question 34
If BLS were to ask for revenue shares for those particular projects, would you be able to provide that information?
Yes → Go to Question 33
No→ Go to Question 33
Don’t think so or don’t know→ Go to Question 33
If BLS were to ask for employment shares for those particular projects, would you be able to provide that information?
Yes
No
Don’t think so or don’t know
I’m done with my questions. As I’ve mentioned before, BLS is trying to find the best approach to measure the number of jobs involved in green goods and services. Do you have any suggestions as to how BLS can best capture this information in your firm?
Closing
Those are all the questions I have for you. Thank you for your time, the information you have provided is very useful
Script for green goods and services Feasibility interview
Project based companies (consulting, engineering, etc.)
Typographical conventions: italics for programmer notes, all caps for items not read or instructions to the interviewer.
Introduction
Intro1. Hello. My name is ______________ from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I'm calling in reference to a new data initiative being undertaken by BLS. May I please speak to (contact name)?
Intro2. (Reintroduce yourself if necessary) Our records indicate you are the contact person for your firm’s (Name of state quarterly wage and tax report) that you submit to (Name of state employment agency name) for unemployment insurance tax purposes. It would be very helpful to us if we could talk to you about your various projects. Would you be able to answer questions about revenues and employment for your projects?
Yes → Go to INTRO3.
No → Do you know who at your firm would be able to answer those questions for us?
Name:_______________________________________
Position/Department:___________________________
Phone:_______________________________________
Fax:_________________________________________
Thank you for your time. (hang up and contact name given).
Intro3. We routinely ask businesses to help us collect the best data possible, so we are contacting a small sample of our respondents to discuss an important new data initiative that we are very excited about. We recently mailed you a letter about this. Did you receive our letter?
Yes
No → Can I can fax or email you a copy of that letter now?
What is your fax number/email address?________________________
Intro4. I realize you are very busy, but would you have some time now to answer a few questions? The questions usually take about 20 minutes.
Yes, have time
No → When would be a good time to call you back?
Appointment Information:
APPT DAY: _________________ TIME OF DAY: _________________
Intro5. I called [Phone number]. Is this the best phone number to use to reach you?
Yes
No → Correct the information here: ____________________
Questionnaire Script
BLS has been asked to produce measures of employment in U.S. industries that produce green goods and services. Before we can do this though, we need to better understand how businesses track information regarding the variety of services or projects they offer. The questions I will ask you today will help us collect the most accurate and reliable data possible.
Before we begin, let me assure you that the purpose of this call is strictly for informational and statistical purposes to help us understand business records and their use in designing a new survey. Your participation is completely voluntary and you can decline to answer any question at any time. Information related to this study is confidential and will not be released to the public in any way that would allow identification of individuals or establishments except as prescribed under the conditions of the Privacy Act Notice.
NAICS index item mapping questions
Do you have the introductory letter available that we sent to you, so you can refer to it?
Yes
No (Provide examples from your list of index items for Question 3)
Are you familiar with the concept of NAICS, which is the North American Industry Classification System?
Yes
No (give brief explanation to respondent)
Please look at the list of major activities attached to the letter (it might be on the back side – if respondent doesn’t have letter read off ACTIVITIES to them).
This list reflects the NAICS code that BLS has assigned to your worksite (READ WORKSITE NAME AND ADDRESS) listed on the same sheet. Does this list provide an accurate description of your primary business activity at that worksite?
Yes → Go to Question 4
No
3a. Can you tell me about your primary business activities at that location?
Consulting/engineering/etc. project questions
As I said, we are interested in information about your different projects. How many different types of projects do you typically engage in over a year? By different projects I mean project categories such as IT consulting, landscape design, environmental engineering, etc.
one→ Go to One project section, question 24
more than one (fill in exact number) ____
What are those different projects?
LIST:___________________________________
GO TO QUESTION 6
Do you produce different models, types or versions of your product lines?
Yes for all→ Go to Question 6
yes for some →Go to Question 6
No → Go to Question 6
Revenue by project
Do you track revenue by:
6a. different types of projects (do you have total revenues broken down by the project category)?
Yes → Go to Question 6B
No → Go to Question 9
comment→ ________________ Go to Question 6b
6b. each individual project (for example, each engagement)?
Yes → Go to Question 7
No→ Go to Question 7
comment→ ________________ Go to Question 7
Does your firm have multiple worksites?
Yes → Go to question 8
No → Go to Question 10
BLS does not intend to publish this information. Would you be able to provide revenue by project categories or the individual engagements for your individual worksites?
Yes for both→ Go to question 10
yes only for a product TYPE→ Go to question 10
No → Why not? ____________Go to Question 10
How do you track revenue?
GO TO revenue compile QUESTION 14A
Time period
Do you track revenue for your project categories or the individual engagements by different time periods?
Yes Fiscal year→ Go to Question 11
yes calendar year→ Go to Question 11
yes other:___________________ → Go to Question 11
comment_________→ Go to Question 11
If you were asked to provide information about revenue on a survey form for a given reference period, for example, fiscal year, calendar year, most recent 4 quarters, how long do you think it would take you to compile the information about the share of revenues generated by:
11a. different categories of projects (IT consulting, landscape engineering, commercial architecture)?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
it depends/other:________________________
11b. each individual engagement?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
it depends/other:________________________
If you were asked what percentage of your total revenue comes from different projects or engagements for a given reference period (for example, fiscal year, calendar year, most recent 4 quarters), how long do you think it would take you to compile the information:
12a. different categories of projects (IT consulting, landscape engineering, commercial architecture)?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
it depends/other:________________________
12b. individual engagements?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
it depends/other:________________________
12c. How exact would your percentage be? (VERY, JUST AN ESTIMATE, ETC.)
VERY EXACT
JUST AN ESTIMATE
DON’T KNOW
OTHER______________________
Which would be easier for you, providing the actual annual revenue from a product line or the percentage of your total revenue generated by that product line?
Actual annual revenue → Why?____________________
percentage of total revenue → Why?____________________
Revenue compile
a. If you don’t track the revenue associated with a project category or individual engagement, would you would be able to compile that information if asked?
Yes → Go to 19b
No → Go to 19C
comment __________________ → Go to 19B
14b. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult), how difficult would it be to compile this information?
1 2 3 4 5
go to Question 15
14c. Why not?
14d. Is there anyone else who would be able to compile that information?
IF YES: Name:________________________________________
Position/Department:____________________________
Phone:________________________________________
Employment
BLS is considering using revenue by project type or individual engagements to estimate the number of employees associated with that project. We want this employment estimate to account for all employee types, including consulting employees, engineers, administrative employees, sales and marketing employees, etc.
Do you think revenue is a reasonable proxy for the number of employees associated with a particular project type? (FOR EXAMPLE, MY FIRM DOES BOTH IT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING. 70% OF THE REVENUE IS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING PROJECTS, SO 70% OF THE FIRM’S TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IS ASSOCIATED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING.)
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
Would revenue for a particular engagement also be a reasonable proxy for the employment associated with that project?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
(IF QUESTION 7 IS YES) Would revenue by project also be available at the worksite level?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
BLS does not intend to publish information about projects or revenue. If BLS asked you to provide the share of total revenues accounted for by a project category or engagement, would you share this information?
Yes
No → Would you be willing to tell us why not? _____________________
DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE→ Would you be willing to tell us why not? _____________________
Number of jobs by timeframe
a. If you were asked to estimate the percentage of your employees, including sales, marketing, administrative employees associated with each project category (IT CONSULTING, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING) for a given reference period such as your fiscal year or the calendar year, would you be able to provide that information?
Yes → When would that information be available? ______________
No → Why not? ________________________GO TO JOB COMPILE QUESTION 23A
comment_________________________
19b. Could you do this for each individual engagement?
Yes → When would that information be available? ______________
No → Why not? ________________________
COMMENT __________________
(IF QUESTION 7 AND 19A OR 19B IS YES) Would you be able to do this at the worksite level?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
How long do you think it would take you to compile this information if asked?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
COMMENT_______________
Would it be easier for you to provide revenue or employment numbers by project/individual engagement?
REVENUE→ Why? ________________________
Employment→ Why? ________________________
both easy→ Why? ________________________
Both difficult: → Why? __________________________________________
SKIP TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION QUESTION 28
Job compile
a. If you don’t track the percentage of employees, including sales, marketing, administrative employees, associated with a project, would that information be something you would be able to compile if asked?
Yes → Ask question 23b
No → go to environmental information QUESTION 28
comment________________________
23b. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult), how difficult would it be to compile this information?
1 2 3 4 5
SKIP TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION QUESTION 28
One project type
Do you track exact revenue by your individual projects or engagements?
Yes → Ask question 25
No → go to QUESTION 35
comment_______________________
BLS is considering using the revenue generated by project, along with total revenues, to estimate the number of employees involved in that project. Do you think this approach is reasonable for your business?
Yes
No
comment_______________________
BLS does not intend to publish this information. Would you be willing to provide revenue shares by project to BLS on a survey form?
Yes → go to QUESTION 27
No → go to environmental information, QUESTION 28
DON’T KNOW
comment_________________________
Which of the following would be easier for you, providing the annual revenue generated by different projects or providing the percentage of your total revenue generated by that project?
actual annual revenue→ Why?__________________
Percentage of total revenue→ Why?_______________
Environmental information
Do any of your projects help clients meet any environmental standards, such as EnergyStar or LEEDS?
Yes → A. Do all projects help clients meet this standard?
All → Go to Question 29
JUST CERTAIN PROJECTS→ Go to Question 29
No → go to question 31
What are those environmental standards (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)?
Energystar→ Go to Question 30
LEEDS→ Go to Question 30
other:_________________________________ → Go to Question 29A
Other:_________________________________ → Go to Question 29A
29a. Are these national, state, or local area specific standards?
If BLS were to ask for revenue shares for projects that dealt with one of those environmental standards, would you be able to provide that information? For example, what percent of revenue is represented by EnergyStar-related projects?
Yes
No
Don’t think so or don’t know
Do you do any projects that make a home or business more energy efficient, reduce pollution, or improve carbon footprints?
Yes → Would you describe one of those projects? ______________________
Go to Question 32
No→ Go to Question 34
Don’t think so or don’t know→ Go to Question 34
If BLS were to ask for revenue shares for those particular projects, would you be able to provide that information?
Yes → Go to Question 33
No→ Go to Question 33
Don’t think so or don’t know→ Go to Question 33
If BLS were to ask for employment shares for those particular projects, would you be able to provide that information?
Yes
No
Don’t think so or don’t know
I’m done with my questions. As I’ve mentioned before, BLS is trying to find the best approach to measure the number of jobs involved in green goods and services. Do you have any suggestions as to how BLS can best capture this information in your firm?
Closing
Those are all the questions I have for you. Thank you for your time, the information you have provided is very useful
Script for green goods and services Feasibility interview
Products
* Best for manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers – anyone who deals with products like washing machines, clothing lines – you can make the term “product line” more specific to say “clothing lines”, etc. if needed.
Typographical conventions: italics for programmer notes, ALL CAPS FOR ITEMS NOT READ OR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE INTERVIEWER.
Introduction
Intro1. Hello. My name is ______________ from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I'm calling in reference to a new data initiative being undertaken by BLS. May I please speak to (contact name)?
Intro2. (Reintroduce yourself if necessary) Our records indicate you are the contact person for your firm’s (Name of state quarterly wage and tax report) that you submit to (Name of state employment agency name) for unemployment insurance tax purposes. It would be very helpful to us if we could talk to you about your various product lines. Would you be able to answer questions about revenues and employment for your product lines?
Yes → GO TO INTRO3.
No → Do you know who at your firm would be able to answer those questions for us?
Name:_______________________________________
Position/Department:___________________________
Phone:_______________________________________
Fax:_________________________________________
Thank you for your time. (HANG UP AND CONTACT NAME GIVEN).
Intro3. We routinely ask businesses to help us collect the best data possible, so we are contacting a small sample of our respondents to discuss an important new data initiative that we are very excited about. We recently mailed you a letter about this. Did you receive our letter?
Yes
No → Can I can fax or email you a copy of that letter now?
What is your fax number/email address?________________________
Intro4. I realize you are very busy, but would you have some time now to answer a few questions? The questions usually take about 20 minutes.
Yes, have time
No → When would be a good time to call you back?
Appointment Information:
APPT DAY: _________________ TIME OF DAY: _________________
Intro5. I called [Phone number]. Is this the best phone number to use to reach you?
Yes
No → Correct the information here: ____________________
Questionnaire Script
BLS has been asked to produce measures of employment in U.S. industries that produce green goods and services. Before we can do this though, we need to better understand how businesses track information regarding their various product lines. The questions I will ask you today will help us collect the most accurate and reliable data possible.
Before we begin, let me assure you that the purpose of this call is strictly for informational and statistical purposes to help us understand business records and their use in designing a new survey. Your participation is completely voluntary and you can decline to answer any question at any time. Information related to this study is confidential and will not be released to the public in any way that would allow identification of individuals or establishments except as prescribed under the conditions of the Privacy Act Notice.
NAICS index item mapping questions
Do you have the introductory letter available that we sent to you, so you can refer to it?
Yes
No (Provide examples from your list of index items for Question 3)
Are you familiar with the concept of NAICS, which is the North American Industry Classification System?
Yes
No (give brief explanation to respondent)
Please look at the list of major products attached to the letter (it might be on the back side – if respondent doesn’t have letter read off product lines to them).
This list reflects the NAICS code that BLS has assigned to your worksite (READ WORKSITE NAME AND ADDRESS) listed on the same sheet. Does this list provide an accurate description of your primary business activity at that worksite?
Yes → Go to Question 4
No
3a. Can you tell me about your primary business activities at that location?
Product line questions
As I said, we are interested in information about your product lines. How many product lines do you have in total? By product lines I mean the type of goods you make, grow or produce at your firm. (FOR EXAMPLE APPLIANCES, CHEMICALS, CROPS, CLOTHING ITEMS, ETC.)
one→ Go to one product section, Question 24
more than one → Go to Question 5
Do you produce different models, types or versions of your product lines?
Yes for all
yes for some
No
Revenue by product
Do you track revenue by:
6a. product lines?
Yes → Go to Question 6B
No → Go to Question 9
comment→ ________________ Go to Question 6b
6b. models of a product?
Yes
No
comment→ ________________
Does your firm have multiple worksites?
Yes → Go to question 8
No → Go to Question 10
BLS does not intend to publish this information. Would you be able to provide revenue by product or model for your individual worksites?
Yes for both→ Go to question 10
yes only for a major product line → Go to question 10
No → Why not? ____________Go to Question 10
How do you track revenue?
GO TO revenue compile
Time period
Do you track revenue for your product lines or various models by different time periods?
Yes Fiscal year→ Go to Question 11
yes calendar year→ Go to Question 11
yes other:___________________ → Go to Question 11
comment_________→ Go to Question 12
If you were asked to provide information about revenue on a survey form for a given reference period, for example, fiscal year, calendar year, most recent 4 quarters, how long do you think it would take you to compile the information about the share of revenues generated by:
11a. Product lines?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
IT DEPENDS/OTHER__________________
11b. different models?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
IT DEPENDS/OTHER__________________
If you were asked what percentage of your total annual revenue comes from different products or models, , how long do you think it would take you to compile the information:
12a. Product lines?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
IT DEPENDS/OTHER__________________
12b. different models?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
IT DEPENDS/OTHER__________________
12c. How exact would your percentage be? (VERY, JUST AN ESTIMATE, ETC.)
VERY EXACT
JUST AN ESTIMATE
DON’T KNOW
OTHER______________________
Which would be easier for you, providing the actual annual revenue from a product line or the percentage of your total revenue generated by that product line?
Actual annual revenue → Why?____________________
percentage of total revenue → Why?____________________
Revenue compile
a. If you don’t track the revenue associated with a product line or model number, would you would be able to compile that information if asked?
Yes → Go to 14b
No → Go to 14C
comment __________________ → Go to 14B
14b. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult), how difficult would it be to compile this information?
1 2 3 4 5
go to question 15
14c. Why not?
14d. Is there anyone else who would be able to compile that information?
IF YES: Name:________________________________________
Position/Department:____________________________
Phone:________________________________________
Employment
BLS is considering using revenue by product lines or models to estimate the number of employees involved with producing that product or model. We want this employment estimate to account for all employee types at the worksite, including manufacturing employees, administrative employees, sales and marketing employees, etc.
Do you think revenue is a reasonable proxy for the number of employees associated with a particular product line? (FOR EXAMPLE, MY FIRM PRODUCES DISHWASHERS AND WASHING MACHINES. 70% OF THE REVENUE IS FROM DISHWASHERS, SO 70% OF THE FIRM’S TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IS ASSOCIATED WITH DISHWASHERS.)
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
Would revenue for a particular model number also be a reasonable proxy for the employment associated with that model?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
(IF QUESTION 7 IS YES) Would revenue by product and/or model also be available at the worksite level?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________
Don’t know
BLS does not intend to publish information about product lines/models or revenue. If BLS asked you to provide the share of total revenues accounted for by a major product or model, would you share this information?
Yes
No → Would you be willing to tell us why not? _____________________
Don’t know/not sure → Would you be willing to tell us why not? ________
Number of jobs by timeframe
a. If you were asked to estimate the percentage of your employees, including sales, marketing, and administrative employees, who work primarily on a product line during a fiscal year or the calendar year, would you be able to provide that information?
Yes → When would that information be available? ______________
No → Why not? ________________________GO TO JOB COMPILE QUESTION 23A
comment_________________________
19b. Could you do this for each particular model?
Yes → When would that information be available? ______________
No → Why not? ________________________
COMMENT __________________
(IF QUESTION 8 AND 19A OR 19B IS YES) Would you be able to do this at the worksite level?
Yes → Why? _____________________
No → Why not? _____________________Don’t know
How long do you think it would take you to compile this information if asked?
Couldn’t do it
Wouldn’t do it
Time estimate given: __________________
COMMENT __________________
Would it be easier for you to provide revenue or employment numbers by product/model?
REVENUE→ Why? ________________________
Employment→ Why? ________________________
both easy→ Why? ________________________
Both difficult: → Why? __________________________________________
SKIP TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION QUESTION 29
Job compile
a. If you don’t track the percentage of employees (including sales, marketing, administrative employees) associated with a product line or model, would that information be something you would be able to compile if asked?
Yes → Ask question 23b
No → go to environmental information Question 29
comment________________________
23b. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult), how difficult would it be to compile this information?
1 2 3 4 5
SKIP TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION QUESTION 28
One Product Type
Do you produce different models or lines of your product?
Yes → go to question 25
No → go to QUESTION 36
comment__________________
Do you track exact revenue generated by the different models?
Yes → go to question 26
No → go to QUESTION 36
comment__________________
BLS is considering using the revenue generated by a model line, along with total annual revenue, to estimate the number of employees involved in producing that product or model. Do you think this approach would work for your business?
Yes
No
don’t know
comment__________________
BLS does not intend to publish this information. Would you be willing to provide revenue share by model to BLS on a survey form?
Yes → go to QUESTION 28
No → go to environmental information, QUESTION 35
don’t know
comment__________________
Which of the following would be easier for you, providing the annual revenue generated by a model line or providing the percentage of your total revenue generated by that model line?
Actual annual revenue → Why? ____________________
percentage of total revenue → Why? ____________________
go to environmental information, QUESTION 29
go to environmental information, QUESTION 29
comment__________________
Environmental information
Do any of your products or any specific models or versions meet any environmental standards, such as EnergyStar?
Yes → A. Do all products/models meet this standard?
All → Go to Question 30
JUST CERTAIN products/MODELS→ Go to Question 30
No → go to question 32
What are those environmental standards (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)?
Energystar→ Go to Question 31
USDA Certified Organic→ Go to Question 31
Green seal→ Go to Question 31
other:_________________________________ → Go to Question 30A
Other:_________________________________ → Go to Question 30A
30a. Are these national, state, or local area specific standards?
If BLS were to ask for revenue shares for product lines or models that met one of those environmental standards, would you be able to provide that information? For example, what percent of revenue is represented by EnergyStar-rated product lines?
Yes
No
Don’t think so or don’t know
Do any of your products use inputs that are recycled materials?
Yes → What is that input?_____________ → Go to Question 33
No→ Go to Question 35
Don’t think so or don’t know→ Go to Question 35
Is the recycled material used in all products or just certain products?
Yes ALL → Go to Question 34
yes some→ Go to Question 34
Don’t know→ Go to Question 35
Would you be able to provide revenue information for those products that use recycled inputs?
Yes
No
Don’t think so or don’t know
I’m done with my questions. As I’ve mentioned before, BLS is trying to find the best approach to measure the number of jobs involved in producing green goods and services. Do you have any suggestions as to how BLS can best capture this information in your firm?
Closing
Those are all the questions I have for you. Thank you for your time, the information you have provided is very useful
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | MANNING_C |
| Last Modified By | rowan_c |
| File Modified | 2010-03-18 |
| File Created | 2010-03-18 |
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